Leg-rest and control arrangement for chair



June 30, 1959 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKEY LEG-REST AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR CHAIR Filed April 24, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY Amlim- June 30,1959 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 2,392,485

LEG-REST AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR CHAIR Filed April 24, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY a I77d/P/VAFZ June 3 1 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE LEG-REST AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR CHAIR 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 24, 19 57 J1me 1959 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 2,892,435

LEG-REST AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR CHAIR 5 Sheets-sheaf 4 Filed April 24, 1957 J1me 1959' F. F. scHuEPHAcKE 2,892,435

LEG-REST AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR CHAIR Filed April 24, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 59/0710; #2 szwz/gP/ucmz Awa /Q I 477mm;

United States Patent LEG-REST AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR CHAIR Fridtjof F. Schliephacke, Berlin-Schmargentlorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla.

Application April 24, 1957, Serial No. 654,863 8 Claims. (Cl. 155--106) for coordinating movement of the leg-rest to movement I of the back-rest. Accordingly, when a person, seated in a chair, leans back and displaces the back-rest from its normal position to a reclined position, the leg-rest is moved to an appropriately inclined and extended position to comfortably accommodate a person in a reclined or partially reclined position. Such chair has been found to be exceptionally comfortable for complete relaxation over comparatively long periods of time.

Broady, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved leg-rest and control arrangement for a chair of the aforesaid general construction. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide improved means which is effective to move the leg-rest both upwardly and outwardly in relation to the seat of the chair in response to movement of the back-rest to reclined or partially reclined positions.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment which demonstrates the features and aspect of the present invention, an improved leg-rest and control arrangement is provided which comprises a leg-rest disposed beneath the forward end of the seat of the chair. The leg-rest is coordinated to the movement of the baek-rest of the chair (and to the seat when the-seat is rockable relative to the back-rest), by the provision of an improved linkage which includes first and second link pairs. The first link pair includes a pivotally mounted first arm and a first controlling link pivotally carried by the first arm, whie the second link pair includes a pivotally mounted second arm and a second controlling link pivotally carried by the second arm. The first controlling link has a pivotal and slidable connection to the second arm and a connecting link is provided which has a first pivotal connection to the first link pair and a second pivotal connection to the second link pair. The controlling lings of the respective link pairs are connected to and support the leg-rest, while a further linkage means is connected to the back-rest and to one of the link pairs for coordinating movement of said leg-rest to movement of the back-rest. By the described arrangement, compound translation of the leg-rest may be achieved which manifests itself in both upward and forward displacement of the leg-rest relative to the seat.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, will be best appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a number of preferred embodiments,

when taken in conjunction with the accompanying draw- 2,892,485 Patented June 30, 9

ings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of reclining chair, demonstrating features of the present invention, portions of the adjacent side wall of the chair being broken away to disclose the details of the operating mechanism at the adjacent side of the chair;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away, illustrating the chair in Fig. 1 and showing the coordinated position of the seat and leg-rest when the back-rest is in a reclined position;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of the linkages employed on each side of the chair of Figs. 1 and 2 for coordinating movement of the seat and leg-rest to the back-rest;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, illustrating a further embodiment of reclining chair, demonstrating features of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the chair illustrated in Fig. 4, showing the coordinated position of the seat and leg-rest when the back-rest is in a reclined position;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of further reclining chair, demonstrating features of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a reclining chair illustrated in Fig. 6, showing the coordinated position of the seat and leg-rest when back-rest is in a reclined position;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, illustrating a still further embodiment of reclining chair, demonstrating features of the present invention, this embodiment incorporating a rigid seat and back-rest;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the chair illustrated in Fig. 8, showing the coordinated position of the leg-rest when the rigid seat and back-rest is in a reclined position;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of a still further embodiment of a reclining chair, demonstrating features of the present invention, this embodiment likewise incorporating a rigid seat and back-rest unit, and

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the chair illustrated in Fig. 10, showing the coordinated position of the leg-rest when the rigid seat and back-rest unit is moved into a reclined position.

Referring now specifically to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, there is shown a first embodiment of reclining chair in accordance with the present invention, which, except for the improved leg-rest and control arrangement, is subject to a latitude of variations, substitution and change. Generally, it will be seen that my improved chair incorporates a frame 12,- body-supporting means 14 having a seat 16 and a back-rest 18 and a leg-rest 20 disposed adjacent to and beneath the forward end of the seat 16 and mounted for coordinated movement with the back-rest. In this illustrative form of the invention, as well as in the various other modifications described herein, identical linkage arrangements are provided on each side of the chair for coordinating movement of the leg-rest 20 to the body-supporting means 14, specifically to the back-rest 18. Accordingly, it will suflice to describe the details of the linkage arrangement at the adjacent side of the chair, which adjacent side is exposed in the various drawings by the removal of portions of the support or frame 12.

The back-rest 18 of the body-supporting means 14 is tive mount for the seat 16 and the back-rest 13 on the support is coaxial, but the respective pivotal connections for the seat 16 and the back-rest 13 on the support 12 could be spaced from each other, as is understood in the art.

An appropriate linkage arrangement is connected between the reclinable back-rest 18 and the seat 16 to translate movement of the back-rest 18 to the seat 16, whereby in response to movement of the back-rest into various reclining positions, the seat is appropriately displaced into a corresponding inclined portion, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 2. This linkage arrangement includes a guiding link 26 and first and second connecting links 23, 30. The guiding link,26 has a pivotal connection 32 at its upper end to the support 12. Intermediate its ends and at its rearward side, the guiding link 26 has a pivotal connection 34 to the forward end of the connecting link 28. The rearward end of the connecting link 28 has a pivotal connection 36 to the lower end of the back-rest 18 at a point spaced below the pivot 22 of the back-rest on the supportlZ. At its forward side, the guiding link 26 has a pivotal connection 38 to the rearward end of the second or seat-connecting link 3%. The forward end of the seat-connecting link 30 has a pivotal connection 40 to the seat 16. The described linkage arrangement is effective to transmit the reclining movement from the backrest 18 into coordinated rocking movement of the seat 16 about the pivot 22, whether this pivot is coaxial or not. This coordinated movement may be appreciated by progressively inspecting the relative position of the seat and back-rest in the showing of Figs. 1 and 2.

In accordance with the present invention, the improved leg-rest control embodies a first link pair including a pivotally mounted first arm 42 and a first controlling link 44 carried by said first arm 42, and a second link pair including a pivotally mounted second arm 46 and a second controlling link 43 carried by the second arm 46. In this embodiment of the invention, the first arm 42 has a pivotal connection 54? at its upper end to the support 12 and has a pivotal connection 52 at its lower end to the rearward end of the first controlling link 44. The forward end of the first controlling link 44 has a pivotal connection'54 to the leg-rest 23 adjacent its uppermost edge. The second arm '46 has a pivotal connection 56 at its upper end to the support I2 and has a pivotal connection at its lower end to-the rearward end of the second controlling link 48. The second controlling link 48 has a, pivotal connection 69 at its forward end to the leg-rest 29, the pivotal connection 6%) being spaced from the pivotal connection 54.

- Between the firstand second link pairs 42, 44 and d6, 43 there is provided a pivotal and slidable connection which includes a pin 62 carried by the first controlling link 4- and a slot 6 provided in the second arm 46 and accommodating the pin 62. As may be appreciated by progressively inspecting Figs. 1 and 2, the pm 62 of the pin and slot; connection moves between the upper end of slot 64 (Fig. 1) and the lower end of the slot 64 (Fig. 2) when the leg-rest 29 is extended in relation to the seat 16 in response to reclining movement of the back-rest 18.

In order to effectively guide the pin 62 of the pin and slot connection in its travel between the limit positions represented by the showings of Figs. 1 and 2, a connecting link 66 is pivotally connected between the first and second link pairs. In this embodiment, the connecting link 66 has a pivotal connection 68 at itslowermost end to the firstcontrolling link 44 at a location spaced rearwardly of the pin 62 and has a-pivotal connection 76 at its upper end to the arm 46 of the second link pair 46, 43. The spacing between the pivotal connec ion 7% of the connecting link '6 6 t0 the arm 46 and the pivotal connection 68 to the first controlling link 44 is greater than the spa ing, between the pivotal connection 7t?- andthe pin 62 0f i -1 pin and slot connection (whenin the Fig. 1 position) whereby in response to pivoting off the fi st an 93 3 arms 42, 46 in a clockwise direction about the spaced pivots 50, 56, the pin 62 is driven downwardly in the slot 64.

Operatively connected between the back-rest 18 and one of the link pairs 42, 44, and 46, 43, is a linkage means which coordinates movements of the leg-rest 29 to movement of the back-rest 18. In this embodiment, a driving link 74 is connected between the guiding link 26 and the first link pair 42, 44. Specifically, the driving link 74 has a pivotal connection 76 at its rearward end to the lowermost end of the guiding link 26 and has a pivotalconnection 73 at its forward end to the first arm 42 at a location spaced below the pivot 50. Thus, in response to reclining movement of the back-rest 18 as the occupant leans back in the chair, the seat 16 is translated into an inclined position and the leg-rest 20 is moved both upwardly and outwardly. The displacement of the leg-rest 22 intothe position spaced forwardly of the front edge of the, seat 16 provides an effectively longer support for the legs of the user of the chair. 7

The purpose of the present improved leg-rest and control arrangement may be more fully appreciated by considering typical, but nonetheless illustrative dimensions of a chair. The average length of the seat 16 from its rear edge to its front edge is approximately 21", and the average length of the leg-rest from top to bottom (Fig. l) is approximately 10". Thus, the overall dimension for supporting theportion of a persons torso from the hip pivot to the feet with the leg-rest adjacent to and extending forwardly of the seat) would be approximately 34". However, experience indicates that, this dimension should be of the order of38" to comfortably accommodate the chairs occupant and that a 40" support is desirable. By the illustrated linkage arrangement, whereby the leg-rest 2t) is translated outwardly as well as forwardly relative to the front end of the seat 16, and with slot 64 approximately 2" in length, it is possible to exceed the minimum permissible dimension to arrive at close to the optimum condition of a 40 support for that portion of the persons torso from the hip to the 'eet. The overall height of the leg-rest cannot exceed 10 (Fig. l) for the level of the seat 16 is approximately 17 from the floor support, and 7" of this dimension are required for the depth of the seat and to provide adequate clearance between the lower end of the leg-rest 2i and the floor. In Figs; 4 and 5 there is illustrated a modification of the chair shown in the Figs. 1-3 inclusive, which is identicalin'many respects with the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1-3 inclusive. Accordingly, the corresponding parts have been. designated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1-3 inclusive, but as part of a series. In this embodiment, the arm 142 of the first link pair is pivoted, intermediate its ends, on the seat 116 at the pivot 150. The arm 142 includes an upwardly projecting. rigid extension 142a at one side of the pivot 150, which is connected to the driving link 174 at the pivotal connection 178. The rearward end of the driving link 174- has a pivotal connection 176 to the guiding link 126 at a location above the pivotal connection 132 of the guide link 126 to the support 112. The arm 146 of the second link pair is pivoted on the seat 116 at the pivotal connection 156, which pivotal connection is spaced forwardly from the pivotal connection 150 of the arm 142 of the first link pair. Thus, except for the location of the pivotal mounts for the respective arms 142, 146,- ofthe first and second link pairs, and the manner of connecting the driving link to one of the link'pairs,.the structure illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is substantially identical to that illustrated in Figs. 1-3 inclusive.

The desired coordinated movement of the seat 116 and the leg-rest is'obtained as previously described, it beingnoted that the driving link 174 operates in the following manner: In response to reclining movement of the back-rest 118, the connecting link 126 is pivoted about the pivot 132 tending to displace the connecting link 174 in a clockwise direction about the pivot 132, that is exerting a rearwardly directed pull on the driving link 174. This rearwardly directed pull on the driving link 174 is translated into a corresponding pivotal movement of the rigid extension 142a of the arm 142 in the clockwise direction about the pivot 150 which drives the lower end of the arm 142 through a forward arch. This is effective to transmit the required upward and outward displacement to the leg-rest via the improved linkage arrangement described aforesaid. Although inthis embodiment the arm 142 is provided with a rigid extension 142a, it should be noted that the arm 146 could have been provided with the rigid extension and the ling 174 made of such a length as to be connected to the rigid extension of the arm 146 of the second link.

In Figs. 6 and 7, there is illustrated a still further modification of my improved reclining chair which is identical in many respects to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Accordingly, the corresponding parts have been designated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 4 and 5, but as part of a 200 series. In this embodiment, a connecting link 266 is pivotally connected between the first and second link pairs 242, 244, and 246, 248, in order to effectively guide the pin 262 carried by the first controlling link 244 in the slot 264 provided in the second arm 246. In this illustrative form of the invention, the connecting link 266 has a pivotal connection 268 at its lowermost end to the second controlling link 248 at a point intermediate its respective pivotal connections 258, 260 to the second arm 246 and the leg-rest 220. At its upper end, the connecting link 266 has a pivotal connection 270 directly to the pin 262 of the pin and slot connection. In response to pivoting of the first and second arms 242, 246, in a clockwise direction about the respective spaced pivots 250, 256, the pin 262 is driven downwardly in the slot 264 by the guiding action of the connecting link 266.

In Figs. 8 and 9, there is illustrated a still further modification of reclining chair embodying the general principles described in connection with the preceding figures and incorporating a body supporting unit 314, including. a seat 316 rigid 'with a back-rest 318. As heretofore, the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, but as part of the 300 series. In this embodiment, the leg-rest 320 and its controlling linkage, including the first and second link pairs 342, 344 and 346, 348, are identical to the corresponding legrest and the first and second linkage pairs, 42, 44, and 46, 48, described in connection with Figs. l-3. However, the coordinating linkage between the rigid seat and back rest unit 314 and the driving link 374 associated with the leg-rest 320 and its control mechanism takes the following form: A double-arm lever 380- is pivoted intermediate its end on the support at the pivot 382 and has at its upper end a pivotal connection 384 to the seat 316 at a location towards the rear end of the seat. The lowermost end of the double-arm lever 380 has a pivotal connection 386 to the rearward end of a connecting link 388 which has a pivotal connection 390 at its forward end to an intermediate link 392. At its upper end, the link 392 has a pivotal connection 394 to the support 312. The lower end of the intermediate link 392 has a pivotal connection 376 to the rearward end of the driving link 374, whereby in response to reclining movements of the rigid seat and back-rest unit 314, the required coordinated motion is imparted to the leg-rest 320. Specifically, in response to rearward movement of the rigid seat and back-rest unit 314, the doublearrned lever 380 is pivoted about its pivot 382 in a clockwise direction, whereby the connecting link 388 is driven through a forward thrust to thereby pivot the intermediate link 392 in a clockwise direction about its pivot 394. This imparts the required forward displace ment to the driving link 374, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting Figs. 8 and 9. A seat guiding link 396 is pivotally connected between the support 312 and the seat 316 by the pivotal connections 398, 394. The pivot 398 is at the upper end of the link 396 at a location spaced forwardly of the pivot 384, and rearwardly of the pivots 350, 356, for the leg-rest control. The pivot 394 is at the lower end of guiding link 396 and is common to the pivot for the intermediate link 392 to the support 312.

In Figs. 10 and 11 there is illustrated a further modification of my chair, which is identical in many respectswith the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4- and 5,-except for the provision of a rigid seat and back-rest unit. In this embodiment, the corresponding parts have been designated by reference numerals as part of a 400 series. The rigid seat and back-rest unit 414 of the chair 410 is mounted on the support 412 by first and second guiding links, 480, 482. The first guiding link 480 is in form of a double-arm lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends at the pivot 484 on the seat 416. The lower end of the double-arm lever has a pivotal connection 486 to the support 412, while the upper end of the double-arm lever has a pivotal connection 476 to the rearward end of the driving link 474 which is connected to the integral extension 442a of the arm 442. The arm 442 is part of the control for the leg-rest 420, which control is the same as that illustrated in Figs; 4 and 5 and thus requires no detailed description except for identification of the corresponding part numbers. The second guiding link 482 has a pivotal connection 488 at its lower endto' the support 412 and has apivotal connection 490 at its upper end to the seat 416 at a location intermediate the pivotal connection 484 for the double-arm lever 480 and the respective pivotal connections 450, 456, for the leg-' rest control.

In response to reclining movement of the unit 414, the pivot 484 of the double-armed lever 480 on the seat 416 is translated rearwardly about the pivot 486' of the double-armed lever 480- on the support 412. This clock= wise movement of the do ble-armed lever 480 about its pivot 486 causes a corresponding rearward displacement of the driving link 474 via its pivotal connection 476 to the link 480, whereby the required coordinated move ment is imparted to the first linkpair 442, 444. As pre viously detailed herein, the appropriate upward and outward translation of the leg-rest 420 is achieved as may be seen by inspecting the relative position of the leg-rest in the showings of Figs. 10 and ll.

From theforegoing illustrative embodiments of chairs incorporating body-supporting units of either the rigid type or the type wherein the seat is displaced relative to the back-rest, it will be appreciated that thepres'ent'ini-' proved leg-rest control arrangement has a wide scope of application. In each of the embodiments, the leg rest control is compatible with the space and structural limitations imposed for usual chair constructions, yet pr'ovides for the desired extension of the leg-rest in relation to the seat to comfortably accommodate the user of the chair in various reclined positions.

A latitude of modifications, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and accordingly the appended claims should be construed broadly and in a; manner consistent with the spirit and scope of invention herein. In some instances, some features of the invention will be used without the corresponding use features.

What I claim is: I

1. An improved leg-rest and control arrangement for use in a chair including a support member and a body supporting member having a seat and a back-rest rockably mounted on said support, said arrangement conb prising a leg-rest disposed adjacent the forward and of said seat, a first link pair including a first arm pivotally mounted on one of said members and a first controlling link pivotally carried by said first arm, a second link pair of other including a second arm pivotally mounted on one of said members and a second controlling link pivotally carried by said second arm, said first controlling link having a pivotal and slidable connection to said second arm, a connecting link having a first pivotal connection to said first link pair and a second pivotal connection to said second link pair, said first and second controlling links being connected to and supporting said leg-rest, and linkage means connected to said body supporting member and one of said link pairs for coordinating movement of said legrest to movement of said body supporting member.

2. An improved leg-rest and control arrangement for use in a chair including a support member and a bodysuporting member having a seat and a back-rest rockably mounted on said support, said arrangement comprislink pivotally carried by said first arm, including a second arm pivotally mounted on one of said members and a second controlling link pivotally carried by said second ar said first controlling link having a pivotal and slidable connection to said second arm, a connecting link having a first pivotal connection to said first link pair and a second pivotal connection to said second link pair, said first and second controlling links being connected to and supporting said leg-rest, and linkage supporting member and first link pair for coordinating movement of said leg-rest to movement of said body supporting member, said linkage means including at least one guide link pivoted to said support.

3. -An improved leg-rest and control arrangement for use in a chair including a support member and a body seat and a back-rest rockably mounted on said support, said arrangement comlink pivotally carried by said first arm, a second link pair including a second arm pivotally mounted on one of said members and a second controlling link pivotally carried by said second arm, said first controlling link having a pivotal and slidable connection to said second arm, a con necting link having a first pivotal connection to said first controlling link at a location spaced from said pivotal and slidable connection and the pivotal mounting for said second arm, said first and second controlling links being connected to and supporting said le -rest, and linkage means connected to said body-supporting member and to one of said link pairs for coordinating movement of said leg-rest to movement of said body-supporting member.

4. An improved leg-rest and control arrangement for use in a chair including a support member and a body supporting member having a seat and a back-rest rockably mounted on said support, said arrangement comprising a leg-rest disposed adjacent the forward end of said seat, a first link pair including a first arm pivotally pivotal and slidable connection to said second arm, a connecting link having a first pivotal connection to said first controlling link at a location spaced rearwardly of said pivotal-and slidable connection and a second pivotal connection to said second arm at a location intermediate said pivotal and slidable connection and the pivotal mounting for said second arm, said first and second con trolling links being connected to and supporting said legrest, and linkage means connected to said body supporting member and to one of said link pairs for coordinating movement of 'said leg-rest to movement of said body supporting member. i i

5. An improved leg-rest and control arrangement for use in a chair including-a support and body supporting means having a seat and a back-rest rockably mounted on said support, said arrangement comprising'a leg-rest disposed adjacent the forward end of said seat, a first link pair including a first arm pivotally mounted on said support and a first controlling link pivotally carried by said first arm, a second link pair including a second ann pivottrolling link having a pivotal and slidable connection to said second arm, a connecting link having a first pivotal connection to said first controlling link at a location spaced rearwardly of said pivotal and slidable connection and a second pivotal connection to said second arm at a location intermediate said pivotal and slidable connection and the pivotal mounting for said second arm, said first and second controlling links being connected to and supporting said leg-rest, and linkage means connected to said body-supporting means and to one of said link pairs for coordinating movement of said leg-rest to movement of said body-supporting means.

6. An improved leg-rest and control arrangement for use in a chair including a support and body supporting said second arm, the spacing between the pivotal connection of said connecting link to said second arm and its pivotal connection to said first controlling link being greater than the spacing between the pivotal connection of said able connection to said first controlling link,

' to and supporting said leg-rest, and linkage means connected to said body supporting member and to one of said link pairs for coordinating movement of said leg-rest to movement of said body supporting member.

8. An improved leg-rest and control arrangement for use in a chair including a support and body supporting disposed adjacent the forward end of said seat, a first link pair including a first arm pivotally mounted on said seat and a first controlling link pivotally carried by said first arm, a second link pair including a second arm pivotally mounted on said seat and a second controlling link pivotally carried by said second arm, said first controlling link having a pivotal and slidable connection to said second arm, and a connecting link having a first pivotal connection to said first controlling link and a second pivotal connection to said second arm, the spacing between the pivotal connection of said connecting link to said second arm and its pivotal connection to said first controlling link being greater than the spacing between the pivotal connection of said second arm to said connecting link and its pivotal and slidable connection to said first controlling link, said first and second controlling links being connected to and supporting said leg-rest, and linkage means connected to said body supporting means and to one of said link pairs for coordinating movement of said leg-rest to movement of said body supporting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

